Dust bathing is an essential behavioral need for chickens and other poultry that is prevented by conventional housing, causing frustration and feather degradation.
Dust bathing is not a luxury but a deeply motivated behavioral need. Hens prevented from dust bathing develop feather deterioration and show signs of behavioral frustration. The discovery that even small amounts of loose material allow near-normal dust bathing sequences suggests that modest changes in housing can yield significant welfare gains at low cost.